Earning Your Keep
Much was made over the “holdout” of Brandon Dubinsky, especially when it lasted well into the preseason. When he finally signed, about two minutes after Phil Kessel was traded, in September, many fans were saying that his contract ($1.85 million cap-hit annually for two years) was “way too much”. It appears that Dubinsky has heard your outcry, and is playing up to that contract, and a little bit beyond.
As of today, Dubinsky is 4th on the team in scoring, putting up a line of 3-5-8 in 9 GP. He is also a ridiculous +9 in those games, tops on the team. At this pace, he will finish out the season with a line of 27-45-72 and a whopping +82. Of course, he won’t come anywhere remotely close to a +82, but is it out of the realm of possibility for him to reach 70 points this year? He is playing on the top line with Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal, and as long as the former stays healthy, that line won’t be broken up anytime soon.
Does a 70 point season mean that Dubinsky earns his $1.85 million a year? I’ll say so. It averages out to roughly $26,000 per point. Compare that to Chris Drury, who is on pace for a 46 point season, and that averages out to roughly $153,000 per point. That’s what we call bang-for-your-buck. Especially if he continues to play sound defense, the type of defense that has led him to an average of +1 per game for the first 10% of the season. He works, he skates, he grinds, and he can score. I think he’s earning his money so far.
The question is, if he does this for two years, how much does he get when his contract expires after next season?
By jurgenno88, October 22, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Look around the league guys, i think he’s a bargain at this price even if he ‘only’ hits 60 pts. So many players get fat contracts too early, some gusy get them for their ‘intangibles’ and some gusy seem to have great agents. Dave Bolland is a good platyer in Chicago but they gave him 3.7m (ithink) and he wont be the offensive player Dubi is when all is said and done.
I think he earns every penny over the course of the two yr deal after which something interesting will happen. Say he gets 70+ each year. He has always said he wants to be here and he even went as far as saying he wants to retire a ranger. Wil lthat reflect in the negotiations?
If he has back to back 70pt seasons he can demand 5m. Which he’d get on the open market with ease.
If they can get Drury off the books in 2 years then i think we can give it to him otherwise it may be tough keeping Dubi, Staal and co. on reasonable, cap friendly deals while staying competitive, and retaining depth.
By Dave, October 22, 2009 @ 11:33 am
Dubinsky doesn’t hit the open market in two years though. He hits his arbitration year.
By Dave, October 22, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Jeremy, if you’re reading this, please put up a game thread. I don’t have internet access (posting from my phone).
Muchos gracias.
By Jeremy, October 22, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
No problem, Dave. I will say though, I hate when the rangers play on the same night as the Yankees. It makes it hard, especially in playoff time.
By Dave, October 22, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
I made my decision easier by going to the game tonight. Sect 415 Row G, sporting my Prucha jersey if anyone wants to drop by and say hi.